David Douglas football recruit among the nation’s best

Saw this today on Oregonpreps.com, David Douglas’ Owamagbe Odighizuwa is getting offers from around the nation, including the Ducks.

Dirk Knudsen
OregonPreps.com Editor

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Somewhere tonight out in South East Portland, in his home with his family, is one of the most highly sought out athletes in the Country. With his Mom AV and his three younger brothers this man of the house was attending to his books and his evening duties when I caught up to him. Across the country from the legendary Halls of Notre Dame to the house of Urban Meyer at Florida they are all saying his name. “Get me Owa”.

AP: Dirk Knudsen

To speak to him and meet him you would never suspect that here in Portland, Oregon in this 17 year old frame is one of the top 25 recruits in the country. This David Douglas High school star is unassuming. In fact Owamagbe Odighizuwa or “Owa” as he is known may be the single biggest recruit we have had in Oregon in many years. As of today he has 15 Division 1 offers to play football. These offers are from some of the biggest colleges in the Country. Florida, LSU, Notre Dame, USC, Oregon, Nebraska, Tennessee and the list goes on and on. And there will be more.

Together we spoke about things outside of football. About his life up to now and what he is on the verge of. Growing up Owa spent 3 years in Ohio and was than moved to Nigeria by his family. He remembers life there.

“It was fine really. There was so much family and life was pretty good,” he said. “I don’t remember poverty but looking back it was there. But the whole time I remembered what it was like here and I wanted to come back. I dreamed of it, ” he added.

Come back he did. At age 8 the family returned to Ohio for a few months and than moved to Virginia and on to Portland. He makes his home here in Portland with his mother AV and his three younger brothers. “My mom takes care of us all and is incredible. She works very hard. I am the father figure here in my home and I try and set a good example for my brothers. Working hard in school and with my sports and being a good person are all very important to me,” he offered.

He played Soccer at an early age and did not play football until 8th grade. He also plays basketball and runs track and is competing well in the 100 and 200 as well as the relays and throwing events. How many 6’3” 240 pound sprinters do you see? Not Many. Owa is a beast off the edge at DE and his speed rush at the Army All American Combine this January won him the affection of all who were there. That was his coming out and now everybody wants in.

Owa also trains using a combination of weight room and track to maintain his frame and speed. No specialty trainers. No special equipment. His philospohy is to naturally use what he can to get better. He wants to improve and believes he can.

“I am going to prove myself. People doubted me because I am from Oregon. When I was at the combine lots of guys thought because they were from Texas and California and Florida they must be better. So I proved them all wrong” he added “guys form Oregon can play too. I am very proud of that.”

Going forward he dreams of a successful collegiate career and of a chance to play in the NFL. Owa says he dreams about that every day but that he knows everything he gets he will have to earn. There is a virtual circus developing around him and he knows that but says that he is ready.

“I have good family and a few trusted people around me . I have wonderful coaches and my Head Coach Dan Wood is making sure that I keep this in perspective and that things go smooth, ” said Owa. “For me I have to look at where I fit and who wants me and can show that beyond pure talk. It is not about size or reputation but what is best for me. No matter what happens I am getting my degree paid for and that can mean so much,” he added.

You will not find a more respectful kid out there. I defy you. It seems he is grounded and ready for what is headed his way. Wherever he goes and whatvever lies in his path he appears to have the maturity and perspective to make it. His explosiveness and playmanking ability are incredible. But behind all the hype is a young man who is standing on the edge with his wings spread ready to leap. From here in Portland I can see him soaring already and we wish him nothing but the very best. Enjoy your Senior year Owa. It is a very special time in life!

All of our best to Owamagbe Odighizuwa, his Mom AV, and his entire family!

Steve Mims covers Oregon football, men's basketball and baseball for The Register-Guard. He has been a sportswriter at the paper since 1999 and covered high school sports while also reporting on Oregon football in the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl as well as men's basketball during their Elite 8 run in 2007 and trip to the Sweet 16 in 2013.